Plasma Prolactin during the Luteal Phase and Pregnancy in Non-Parturient and Parturient Blue Fox Vixens

Abstract

Plasma prolactin secretion during the luteal phase and pregnancy was studied in 11 mated but non-parturient and 26 parturient blue fox vixens. Prolactin was measured in blood plasma once or twice a week using a heterologous double-antibody radioimmunoassay. Data for all females were fitted with an animal model. In both groups of females, prolactin concentrations increased slowly during the early post mating period. For the parturient vixens the prolactin values increased further until parturition, whereas there was only a slight increase in the non-parturient vixens. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in prolactin release between the non-parturient and parturient animals from day 36 after mating. A possible role of prolactin may exist in the luteotrophic complex maintaining pregnancy in blue fox vixens, because higher levels of plasma prolactin and progesterone appeared in the parturient vixens compared to the non-parturient during the second half of gestation.     

A COMPARISON OF NORMAL TISSUE COMPLICATION PROBABILITY OF BRAIN FOR PROTON AND PHOTON THERAPY OF CANINE NASAL TUMORS

This study compared the calculated normal tissue complication probability of brain in dogs with a nasal tumor, which had both photon and proton treatment planning. Nine dogs diagnosed with a variety of histologies, but all with large, caudally located nasal tumors were studied. Three-dimensional (3-D) photon dose distribution, and a proton dose distribution was calculated for each dog. To calculate the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for brain, the partial brain volume irradiated with the prescribed dose was determined, then a mathematic model relating complications to partial volume and radiation dose was used. The NTCP was always smaller for proton plans as compared to photon plans, indicating conformation of the dose to the target allows a higher dose to be given. If a 5% NTCP were accepted, the mean applicable dose for this group of dogs was 50.2 Gy for photons, but 58.3 Gy for protons. Not all dogs would benefit the same from proton irradiation. If a large partial brain volume has to be irradiated, the advantage becomes minimal. There is also a minimal advantage if the planning target volume (PTV) includes a small, superficial brain volume. However, for a complex PTV shape the degree of conformation is clearly superior for protons and results in smaller calculated NTCPs.     

A type II-collagen derived peptide and its nitrated form as new markers of inflammation and cartilage degradation in equine osteochondral lesions

Markers of cartilage breakdown enable studying the degradation of cartilage matrix in equine joint pathologies. This study was designed to determine the levels of Coll2-1, a peptide of the triple helix of type II collagen, and Coll2-1NO(2), its nitrated form in the plasma of healthy horses (controls; n=37) and horses suffering from osteochondrosis (n=34). Clinical and arthroscopic scores were attributed reflecting the severity of lesions and were related to the plasma levels of Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO(2). The median of Coll2-1 was significantly higher in the control group, whereas the mean of Coll2-1NO(2) showed significant elevation in the pathological group. However, the measurement means of scoring classes did not vary significantly. The markers were able to differentiate the group of horses suffering from osteochondrosis from the group of healthy horses. The elevation of Coll2-1NO(2) in the pathological group indicates an inflammation, mediated through reactive oxygen species and/or increased myeloperoxidase activity.     

Sexual behaviour in Isotomidae (Collembola)

We studied the sexual behaviour of three isotomid species Vertagopus cinereus, Vertagopus pseudocinereus, and Proisotoma clavipila including (1) stimulation of the female by the male, (2) deposition of spermatophores, and (3) pushing the female over the spermatophore. A variety of behaviour never described before in Isotomidae were observed including fastening of the female abdomen by the antennae of the male, repeated stimulation of the ventral region of the female, and repeated capture of spermatophore by the female. We propose a functional explanation of male sexual secondary characters and of the setae of the abdomen in V. pseudocinereus.     

Analysis and detection of the herbicides dimethenamid and flufenacet and their sulfonic and oxanilic acid degradates in natural water

Dimethenamid [2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] and flufenacet [N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-methylethyl)-2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)oxy] were isolated by C-18 solid-phase extraction and separated from their ethanesulfonic acid (ESA) and oxanilic acid (OXA) degradates during their elution using ethyl acetate for the parent compound, followed by methanol for the polar degradates. The parent compounds were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected-ion mode. The ESA and OXA degradates were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography--electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESPMS) in negative-ion mode. The method detection limits for a 123-mL sample ranged from 0.01 to 0.07 microg/L. These methods are compatible with existing methods and thus allow for analysis of 17 commonly used herbicides and 18 of their degradation compounds with one extraction. In a study of herbicide transport near the mouth of the Mississippi River during 1999 and 2000, dimethenamid and its ESA and OXA degradates were detected in surface water samples during the annual spring flushes. For flufenacet, the only detections at the study site were for the ESA degradates in samples collected at the peak of the herbicide spring flush in 2000. The low frequency of detections in surface water likely is due to dimethenamid and flufenacet being relatively new herbicides. In addition, detectable amounts of the stable degradates have not been detected in ground water.     

Mortality in mink kits from birth to weaning

In 1988, a necropsy survey of the pattern and major causes of mortality in mink kits from birth to weaning was undertaken. The overall preweaning mortality rate was 20%. Mortalities occurring within the first three days after birth accounted for 91% of submissions, and 78% of the kits in this age group had no lesions or bacterial isolates. The average weight of kits which died within one day of birth (7.9 g) was significantly lower than the average birthweight of healthy kits (10.7 g). In kits under four days of age and with lesions, the most common diagnoses were dystocia (12%), systemic infection (4%), anasarca (2%), and congenital defects (1%). In unweaned kits four days of age or older, the most common diagnoses were systemic infection (19%), external trauma (6%), dystocia (5%), and cervical adenitis (2%).     

Viability assessment of spermatozoa in large falcons (Falco spp.) using various staining protocols

Viability assessment is an important part of semen analysis, and various live/dead staining protocols have been used in semen of avian species. Results of live/dead count differed between dyes, staining protocols and bird species, impeding comparability between studies and requiring species-specific comparisons of viability stains. In raptor semen, similar comparisons are absent. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare eight conventional viability stains. Eosin blue 2% [EB], eosin blue 2% with the addition of 3% sodium citrate [EB2], eosin blue–nigrosin 5% [EBN5], eosin yellow–nigrosin 5% [EYN5], eosin yellow–nigrosin 10% [EYN10], eosin blue–aniline blue [EBA], eosin yellow–aniline blue [EYA] and bromophenol blue–nigrosin [BBN] were evaluated in comparison with the fluorescence stain SYBR^® Green–propidium iodide [SYBR-PI] in spermatozoa of falcons. The comparison was performed using conventional light microscopy which is applicable in breeding centres, veterinary practices and field studies. Additionally, live/dead stains were correlated to motility values of the same samples to validate sperm viability. Light microscopy using EB and using SYBR-PI enabled an effective and clear differentiation between alive and dead spermatozoa of falcons. Motility values correlated significantly and strongly with EB only (r = .629; p < .001), but not with any other stain used in the study. Therefore, our results suggest EB as the most suitable stain for viability assessment in the semen of large falcons.     

Spatial and temporal investigations of reported movements,births and deaths of cattle and pigs in Sweden

Background

Livestock movements can affect the spread and control of contagious diseases and new data recording systems enable analysis of these movements. The results can be used for contingency planning, modelling of disease spread and design of disease control programs.

Methods

Data on the Swedish cattle and pig populations during the period July 2005 until June 2006 were obtained from databases held by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Movements of cattle and pigs were investigated from geographical and temporal perspectives, births and deaths of cattle were investigated from a temporal perspective and the geographical distribution of holdings was also investigated.

Results

Most movements of cattle and pigs were to holdings within 100 km, but movements up to 1200 km occurred. Consequently, the majority of movements occurred within the same county or to adjacent counties. Approximately 54% of the cattle holdings and 45% of the pig holdings did not purchase any live animals. Seasonal variations in births and deaths of cattle were identified, with peaks in spring. Cattle movements peaked in spring and autumn. The maximum number of holdings within a 3 km radius of one holding was 45 for cattle and 23 for pigs, with large variations among counties. Missing data and reporting bias (digit preference) were detected in the data.

Conclusion

The databases are valuable tools in contact tracing. However since movements can be reported up to a week after the event and some data are missing they cannot replace other methods in the acute phase of an outbreak. We identified long distance transports of cattle and pigs, and these findings support an implementation of a total standstill in the country in the case of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The databases contain valuable information and improvements in data quality would make them even more useful.